DRS, DII to Make IR Cameras for Homeland Security

Photonics.comJul 2003
PARSIPPANY, N.J., July 2 -- DRS Technologies Inc. announced it has signed a teaming agreement with Digital Imaging Infrared LLC (DII) in Apopka, Fla., to jointly produce and market the Digital Imaging DI-5000 and DI-7000 series pan-and-tilt thermal imaging systems for homeland security applications and high-value asset protection.

The camera systems are used for surveillance of borders, military bases, dams, ports, building complexes and infrastructure facilities, such as water and power utility operations and refineries. The DI-5000 currently is installed at the US Naval base in San Diego, Calif.

The DI-5000 and DI-7000 product lines are comprised of lightweight, passive infrared (IR), real-time, pan-and-tilt systems using the IR and visible spectrums to provide thermal imagery; they include eye-safe laser rangefinders. The systems use an IR camera incorporating DRS's U3000 uncooled microbolometer. For the visible function, the systems use a color day TV camera. DRS's manufacturing work associated with this agreement will be performed by the DRS Optronics unit in Palm Bay, Fla.